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The fireworks bloomed overhead, showering white and gold sparks across the dark bay, but Clara’s eyes were locked on Aldo Falconee’s right coat pocket. / Chapter 5 / 10

Chapter 5 - The Queen of the Underworld's ShadowSalvatore stared at the young maid, his jaw working silently as he processed the nightmare unfolding before him. He looked at Aldo groaning in the dirt, then at the red laser dots dancing across his guards' chests, and finally at Adrienne, who was looking at Clara with an expression that was half-fascination, half-devouring hunger.

"You're playing a dangerous game, girl," Salvatore spat out, his voice shaking with suppressed fury. "A maid playing with sharks will lose her hands."

"She’s not a maid anymore," Adrienne said smoothly, stepping closer to Clara so that his shoulder brushed hers. He reached out and gently plucked the gold ring from her palm, pocketing it with a slow, deliberate smile. "As of three minutes ago, Clara is my new head of security intelligence. And if you ever look at her, or my estate, sideways again, Salvatore, I won't just publish your files—I’ll feed you to the bay."

Salvatore stared at Adrienne for a long, agonizing moment. Realizing he had been utterly outmaneuvered, the old don spat on the ground.

"Get him up," Salvatore snarled to his guards, pointing at the battered Aldo.

They hoisted the unconscious conspirator into the back of the town car. Salvatore climbed in after him, slamming the heavy armored door shut. Within seconds, the convoy reversed in a cloud of dust and tore down the coastal road, retreating in total defeat.

Silence descended on the estate once more.

Vivien slowly walked down the porch steps, her face pale as marble, tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked at Adrienne, then at Clara. "You... you knew," Vivien whispered to Clara. "You knew my family was behind it all along."

"I knew someone was," Clara replied without flinching. "I just happened to find the receipt."

Adrienne turned to face Clara fully, ignoring his new, weeping bride entirely. He looked down at Clara’s bruised hands, her torn clothes, and the fierce, unyielding light in her eyes.

"My mother tried to fire you yesterday," Adrienne murmured, his voice dropping low enough that only she could hear. "She called you a liability."

"She wasn't entirely wrong," Clara replied dryly. "I broke a very expensive vase."

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Adrienne let out a low, dark laugh—the first genuine sound of amusement she had ever heard from him. He reached out, his warm fingers gently brushing a stray lock of dirt-streaked hair away from her forehead.

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